World title quest: 'Until then I’m not satisfied'
Southland motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan is bound for Europe for another shot at the JuniorGP World Championship.
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Motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan talks through his bold quest to become a world champion as if he’s rattling off the weekly grocery list.
What he has in his sights is ambitious, although for Buchanan he believes it is within his grasp.
The 17-year-old Southlander wants to become the first Kiwi to line up in the World Championships at the senior level since Aaron Slight in 2000.
But we’ll take it one step further. The boy from Invercargill actually has dreams - or should we say a well mapped out plan - to one day become a world champion on the biggest stage.
The Southland Junior Sportsperson of the Year departed Invercargill today (Sunday) for another stint in Europe. He will again take part in the JuniorGP World Championship which will run from April to November.
Before his departure, Buchanan had an in-depth chat with The Roar - a Southland sporting podcast that will launch next week.
Buchanan’s drive and commitment to do what is required to reach the top was evident during that interview with The Roar.
He knows life doesn’t always go to script, but Buchanan has a blueprint he hopes will one-day take him to the MotoGP World Championships.
“I’d spend my whole life in that championships if I could. But even getting to the MotoGP isn’t the end goal, the goal is to be the first Kiwi world champion.
“Even if I were to win a JuniorGP Championship or Moto2 or Moto3, that’s great, you’re a world champion, but it’s not the MotoGP World Championship, that’s my end goal.
“If I could win the MotoGP and the world ended the next day, I’d be satisfied. Until then I’m not satisfied.”
The most pressing assignment is this year’s JuniorGP World Championship, an important step towards booking that spot in the senior ranks.
“This season obviously there’s a goal to fight for the championship in the JuniorGP, but my goal isn’t necessarily that. It would be to do whatever it takes to get a [senior] world championship contract.
“It’s close to happening, the problem is you have to be 18 and I’m 17 so I was too young to move up for the ‘24 season,” he told The Roar.
When he turns 18 in August, he will become eligible for a wildcard entry for races in that championship, and he hopes he does enough in the World JuniorGP Championship to secure a fulltime contract in 2025.
Riding bikes in Europe has its glamour moments, but it has taken significant sacrifice to get to the point he could make a lengthy career out of it.
“You almost have to sacrifice your childhood, I guess that’s one way you can put it. I don’t go to parties, I can’t go out for beers with the boys anymore, well I never have.
“But to be honest I wouldn’t change it for the world, I’m out there living my dream in Europe.”
He acknowledges it has been a tough assignment on his family to get to where he has got to, both financially and emotionally at times.
“Mum having to say goodbye to her two boys the last few years and now Mum having to say goodbye to Dad and my sister Micah,” Buchanan said.
“The hardest thing is the expense of it too, it’s a huge sacrifice not just for me but my family.”
Buchanan has had a good lead in to his campaign in Europe which included winning the Supersport 600 title as part of the New Zealand Superbike Championship.
He has also worked hard during his time back in Invercargill as part of the Academy Southland programme to ensure he is in the best possible shape.
Keep an eye on The Southland Tribune for the launch of The Roar podcast which will feature the full fascinating chat with Cormac Buchanan about his journey to date and want is next.